#Geopolitics
Timor Leste officially becomes ASEAN’s 11th member after 14-year wait
Timor-Leste has officially joined the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), becoming the regional bloc’s 11th member after waiting nearly 14 years for admission.
Brazil seeks full ASEAN membership, Lula highlights shared vision with Southeast Asia
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced on Friday, October 24, 2025 that Brazil is seeking full membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), underscoring his country’s commitment to strengthening political, economic, and cross-regional cooperation with Southeast Asia.
Indonesia eyes BRICS markets as new frontier for export expansion
The global economic map is shifting, with the world’s economic axis now tilting southward and eastward and the rise of the BRICS bloc − comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa − marking the emergence of new centers of growth, which have long been dominated by Western countries.
Prabowo proposes bilateral trade pact with South Africa amid global tariff tensions
President Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 urged his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa to explore a bilateral trade agreement between the two BRICS partners, as Indonesia seeks to reduce its trade deficit amid growing global tariff uncertainties.
Prabowo welcomes Brazilian, South African leaders in back-to-back State visits
President Prabowo Subianto hosted two state visits this week, welcoming Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa to the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, a diplomatic showcase underscoring Indonesia’s strengthened engagement with fellow Global Southnations.
Indonesia moves closer to joining BRICS’ new development bank
Indonesia has allocated funds to purchase shares in the BRICS-backed New Development Bank (NDB), marking another step in Jakarta’s growing engagement with the China-led bloc of emerging economies.
Trump praises Prabowo at Gaza peace summit, candid exchange draws global attention
The 2025 Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit on Gaza not only marked a historic step toward ending hostilities in Palestine, but also captured a moment that went viral: the thumbs-up pose between Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and U.S. President Donald Trump.
Bp warns of slow global decarbonization, praises Indonesia’s strategic role
Bp Chief Economist, Spencer Dale, says global energy transition remains slow, with oil and gas expected to play a central role in the world’s energy supply for at least the next 15 years.
Japan’s evolving defense strategy deepens ties with ASEAN
Japan’s defense cooperation strategy with Southeast Asian nations has undergone a significant transformation since the mid-2010s, shifting beyond the boundaries of traditional military partnerships. This evolution reflects Tokyo’s broader ambition to build stronger and more comprehensive defense ties across the region.
U.S. government shutdown halts Indonesia–U.S. trade tariff negotiations
Indonesia’s ongoing trade tariff negotiations with the United States have been temporarily suspended following the U.S. government shutdown, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto confirmed on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.
Airlangga: U.S. government shutdown stalls Indonesia-U.S. trade negotiations
The ongoing government shutdown in the United States has temporarily halted trade negotiations between Indonesia and the U.S., Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto confirmed on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.
President Prabowo calls for merit-based TNI leadership
President Prabowo Subianto called for the Indonesian Military (TNI) to end the long-standing tradition of seniority-based promotions and embrace a meritocratic system to ensure the emergence of professional leaders capable of meeting increasingly complex defense challenges.